Former President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) after supporting a rival party in the recent elections.
Zuma had been a member of the ANC for 65 years. He joined the anti-apartheid movement in 1959 and was jailed on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela. Zuma later became the president of South Africa.
On Monday, the ANC announced Zuma’s expulsion. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said, “Jacob Zuma has actively impugned the integrity of the ANC and campaigned to dislodge the ANC from power.”
In 2018, Zuma resigned as president amid corruption scandals. He was accused of allowing state-owned enterprises to be controlled by his friends, but he denies any wrongdoing.
In December 2023, Zuma supported the new MK party and campaigned for them, despite being suspended from the ANC. He criticized his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and claimed the elections had irregularities without evidence.
The MK party did well in the May 29 elections, becoming the third largest party with nearly 15% of the vote. Despite MK’s success, Zuma rejected the results.
The ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 and had to form a coalition. MK is now the official opposition in parliament.
Professor David Everatt said, “It shows very clearly that the balance of forces has swung very clearly against Jacob Zuma and he doesn’t have the support inside the ANC to try and defend himself.”
Zuma will face court next year on corruption charges related to a 1999 arms deal.
